this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
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https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/tipus-tiger

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipu_Sultan

You haaaave to read about Tipu Sultan and Tipu's Tiger. A vital part of studying history here for us. I must've read about him first in first grade or so.

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[–] A404@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jn6QKQclgUo

Washington etc and how they asked for advice from Tipu Sultan.

[–] passenger@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 week ago

I want to hear the sound it makes!

[–] KurtVonnegut@mander.xyz 2 points 1 week ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipu's_Tiger

"Tipu's Tiger, Tippu's Tiger or Tipoo’s Tiger is an 18th-century automaton created for Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore (present day Karnataka) in India. The carved and painted wood casing represents a tiger mauling a near life-size European man. Mechanisms inside the tiger and the man's body make one hand of the man move, emit a wailing sound from his mouth and grunts from the tiger. In addition a flap on the side of the tiger folds down to reveal the keyboard of a small pipe organ with 18 notes."

[–] KurtVonnegut@mander.xyz 1 points 1 week ago (2 children)

What is this object though. Like, what was it for?

Made the soldier wave his arms around and played sounds of him struggling.

[–] baggins@beehaw.org 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Tipu hated the British.

If I recall correctly, The Battle of Seringapatam, 4th May 1799, was the largest fought by the British Army until WWI.

Source: 17 years in a battery with the Seringapatam battle honour.

[–] JohnnyEnzyme@piefed.social 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Wow, thanks for sharing! I hadn't heard of Mysore state before, nor this sultan, nor this unique organ.

So are those buttons inside the tiger, to play musical notes? And would have to crank the whole time to make it work? (seems like it could take some impressive coordination)

Yeah, gotta crank it to play the 'music'. (British soldier shrieking as he dies)

It's a very cool automaton

[–] just_an_average_joe@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

"Shair ki aik din ki zindagi, geedar ki soo sala zingadi se behtar hy"

One day of a tiger's life (think bravery) is better than a century of a jackle's life (think cowardice).

This was his last words when some of his advisor asked him to flee when it was certain that british have defeated mysore. He said those words and charged in to the battle and died.

[–] SnokenKeekaGuard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Very famous saying. Was not aware it was attributed to him.

Will have to check if it really is. Sounds too funfacty to be true lol.

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Tipu_Sultan

He is a very famous legend in both India and Pakistan.